Youngman - Innovative Work at Height Solutions
Work at Height Regulations
Work at Height Regulations
In 2005/2006 46 people died and nearly 4,000 were seriously injured after falling
from height at work.
The Work at Height Regulations (WAHR), which became law in the UK in 2005, aim
to address this serious problem.
As a world leader in spearheading safety at work, Youngman welcomed the introduction
of the Work at Height Regulations. However, we are also keen to explode a few
myths which continue to circulate. These are the facts:
- The WAHR are not designed to make your life more difficult or prevent honest tradespeople from working
- You do not need special qualifications to comply with the regulations
- You do not need to pass complicated exams
- You can still use ladders
What causes accidents?
Falls from height are usually due to poor project management rather than faulty
equipment. Common factors leading to accidents include:
- Failure to recognise a problem
- Failure to ensure safe working systems are in place and followed
- Using equipment incorrectly
- Using the wrong equipment
- Failure to provide safe equipment
- Failure to provide information, instruction, training or supervision
WAHR – key messages
- Take positive steps to prevent or reduce risk
- Follow the hierarchy for managing risk
- Do a risk assessment
- Ensure only competent people plan, organise, and carry out work at height
- Always use the safest equipment to prevent falls, for example, guardrails and working platforms
- Make sure equipment to mitigate the effects of a fall is also used, for example, harnesses, nets and soft landing systems.